Deloitte survey finds high number of U.S. hospitals recognize importance of social determinants of health, but lack ROI to spur investment

The Deloitte survey of hospitals and health systems in the U.S. found 88% support for, and recognition of, the importance of SDOH. It found they were screening for social needs, most often for inpatient (90%) and high-utilizer populations (83%). Value-based care participation appeared to be a factor as the more models a hospital was involved with, the more likely it was to measure additional social needs activities. On the flip side, Deloitte found too many of the activities were fragmented - only reaching targeted populations. Half of the hospitals reported directing their resources to the specific patient segments they served. The report’s four recommendations to better address health-related social needs include:

1. Break down silos, consolidate resources. Health systems and hospitals should streamline screening tools across all departments and improve team communications;
2. Move toward value-based models. Value-based models encouraged measuring more social needs;
3. Improve the ability to track health and cost outcomes. Rather than relying on hospital-collected data from claims and patient intake forms, data from outside systems, like payers, community groups and the government, would offer a comprehensive picture of SDOH; and
4. Share best practices. Respondents said knowing the ROI would spur investment, health systems need to share what’s worked and what hasn’t in venues like research forums or conferences.